Roberts Family Blog

I apologize for being a blogging slacker.  I feel like for a month now I've been trying to update about the recent developments with the boys, which is what this blog is all about, but instead I've been side-tracked with posts about our ski trip and then snowmaggedon 2010, and now finally I am able to settle down and just write about my little guys and their recent feats of amazement LOL.  Ok let the bragging commence - kidding!!

I'll start with baby Pierce, because I feel like I don't devote quite enough time to him in this blog in general.  Life has sure changed in the past month, and definitely for the better!  His whole world has broadened with his newfound mobility, and you can tell that he is pleased as punch with himself.  Not only is he crawling at lightening speed, but now he can also pull himself up to standing easily and quickly, and can finally sit himself back down as of this week (versus standing there crying and helpless!).  The train table is his favorite place to play probably, much to Hayden's dislike, but little boys have to learn to share right??  Occasionally he will cruise then length of the train table, or the couch, and he just this week is taking a few hesitant steps while holding our hands.  He's not quite as enthusiastic as Hayden was about walking, so it will be interesting to see if he is walking by his first birthday or not.  Only time will tell!  He also just got his two top teeth in the past two days, which I am truely thankful for because they have been making him miserable for quite a few weeks now.  The pain has been disrupting his sleep for sure, so it'll be nice to get back to some nights where he sleeps all the way through again.

In addition to these physical milestones, he's also just been developing by leaps and bounds socially and emotionally.  What a little game player I have on my hands - he loves to be tickled, teased, kissed, blown on, and chased.  Additionally, he has learned to play peekabo with us!  He'll hold a blanket up over his face, then when he reveals his face we say "Peekabo" and he dissolves into fits of giggles, then pulls it back up to start over.  So endearing.  Clapping and waving continue to be really fun activities that he uses to express his happiness and pleasure.  In fact today we went to a story-time at a train museum, and Pierce's little clapping hands would interrupt the silence at frequent intervals LOL.  But along with the good comes the sad, and let me tell you, he is a sensitive little man!  Of course now that he is mobile, he's getting into places that he shouldn't.  One good example is the hearth by the fireplace, where he will sit and play with the glass doors.  We started saying "uh uh uh" to him to let him know it wasn't ok, and he would immediately break down into tears.  I mean BIG tears and wails.  This was no fluke - like clockwork this little boy will burst into the waterworks whenever we scold him, no matter how gently or sweetly.  I guess in the grand scheme of things this is nice, because he responds quickly to discipline, but it breaks my heart!  Unfortunately our video camera was stolen and I can't capture any of these personality quirks on film!  So disappointing.  But he's just the sweetest little monkey and I love watching him grow up like this.  Absolutely the best stage yet.

Hayden continues to be a constant joy, and my best little buddy.  I got to spend an afternoon alone with him yesterday and it was just so awesome to hang out with him.  We chatted together the whole time, and talked like two old friends.  I never just get to focus on him, and it was fun fun fun.  Have to make a point to do that more often.  Well my guy is fully potty trained - hooray!  We haven't had an accident in ages, and he always tells me when he needs to go.  I have to say, it's wonderful not to have to change a gross diaper, but it's also kind of a pain in the butt to spend 20 minutes in the bathroom at a store or restaurant!  Typical man, he takes awhile, and he is modest too, asking me to "go stand behind the door" LOL.  He's also definitely taking after his mommy and daddy, and going through a space shuttle / rocket phase.  Yesterday we took him to Best Buy to pick out a show or movie, and of all things he picked "50 years with Nasa - the Collectors Addition" 5 disk set.  I think the space shuttle launching on the box cover sealed the deal LOL.  Then he marched it up to the check-out counter, all the while telling everyone within earshot about space shuttles launching into space and making loops and being really loud.  Non step chatter box!

And unfortunately naptime has offically come to an end in our household.  It got to the point that unless I would rock him, he would never take a nap on his own, and if he did nap, he was staying up in his room until 9:30 or 10 at night (and coming out every 5 minutes to see if we had changed our minds about putting him to bed!).  So now instead of napping, we do Hayden quiet time in his room, where he gets to take his "little TV" (portable DVD player) and watch his airplane and space shuttle movie for an hour.  It works out nicely because I get an hour to myself to work quietly, and he can just relax in his bed with a show that he likes.  We both feel refreshed I think after that hour!  Then he happily and readily goes to bed around 8 pm, along with Pierce, which leaves Nate and I with a few hours to enjoy each other's company.  So while I'm reluctant to see those few free hours in the afternoon go away, I'm happy for the earlier bedtime!

Here are some photos from the past week or two of my boys

Pierce hanging out at the Interurban Railway Museum with his peeps LOL.  It looks like he is checking out Brooke's butt!  Naughty boy.

Swing time - the weather is finally springing up a bit.

Story-time at the train museum.  Hayden sat so nicely during the whole show, and would contiously clap loudly and exclaim "That's so funny mommy" whenever she was done with a humorous story.

I wanted to capture the little ones enjoying story-time too, and I love this one of Annelie trying to plant a big kiss on Pierce!  She has good taste   Of course Pierce didn't want to sit still.  What newly mobile baby would want to??

Just looking cute at the museum.  He's always so curious and interested!

We hosted Nate's brother Chris and his family at our house this week, and it was so much fun to see Hayden and his cousin Cameron get to know each other.  Hayden of course was completely in awe of his older cousin and literally copied EVERYTHING Cam did.  They were super affectionate with each other, and I caught these shots of them giving hugs.  Hayden is going to sorely miss Cameron.

And here are some photos from our Valentine's Day celebration.  The dresscode was pink, purple or red, and all of our food was cut into heart shapes LOL.  We even had purple and red streamers and heart shaped floating candles.  Super cheesy but loads of fun.  And I have to say I spent V-day with the best looking boys I know!

And the very coolest thing was that as I was packing the kids up to go home after our dinner celebration, in walked my friends with balloons, presents and food and drinks!  They had organized a suprise 30th birthday party for me and it was SO shocking, and so awesomely fun.  I am blessed to have friends and family like this, who go out of their way to make my birthday so special.  Here are some cute photos from that night.

And here are just some parting shots of the kids that I love.  They are such handsome boys and so sweet.

Love PJ's face in the first one, and Hayden's in the second